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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
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  1. Home
  2. Travel

Friluftsliv: The Norwegian self-care concept you need to try this summer

Friluftsliv: The Norwegian self-care concept you need to try this summer - by Laura Barry
  • 12 Nov 2018
Friluftsliv: The Norwegian self-care concept you need to try this summer

Scandinavian lifestyle concepts have become buzzwords in the lifestyle and interior design realms over the past couple of years. Hygge, lagom and pantsdrunk were little-know concepts that have achieved global fame thanks to our collective desire to lead happier and more fulfilled lives. So, here’s another one to add to the list.

The term friluftsliv was coined in 1859 by a writer named Henrik Ibsen and is a Norwegian concept that loosely means ‘free air life’. Friluftsliv is thought to refer to the understanding of the connection between people and nature, and the uplifting effect nature can have on our mental and physical health.

Blue Mountains National Park

Blue Mountains National Park

Getty

Outdoor Journal writer Jahnvi Pananchikal reported that “This rich philosophy [friluftsliv] is deeply embedded in the pursuit of spiritual oneness between humans and nature.”

Essentially, friluftsliv refers to the way in which mindful engagement with the environment, outdoors and nature can result in insightful thought, spiritual awakening, and improve both mental and physical wellbeing. And there’s evidence to support the theory.

Glijufrabui Waterfall, Iceland

Glijufrabui Waterfall, Iceland

Getty

A study conducted by Stanford and published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America in 2015 found that depressed participants who took a 90-minute walk in a natural setting experienced a decrease in negative thoughts.

Furthermore, a recent study by the University of Queensland found that people who visit parks for 30 minutes or more each week are much less likely to have poor mental health than those who don’t, while another study conducted in the UK found that people who moved from urban areas to suburbs with more green spaces, such as trees, parks and gardens, were happier for at least three years after the move, and feelings of contentment that grew over time.

“From observations in psychotherapy we know that mental health and well-being become elevated when people experience some kind of engagement or connection with the larger world, outside of themselves,” says Douglas LaBier, writer for Psychology Today. “Any form of immersion in the natural world, outside of your internal world, heightens your overall well-being, [and is] an essential dimension of true mental health.”

Peyto Lake, Canada

Peyto Lake, Canada

Getty

In case this wasn’t enough evidence for you, here’s another five good reasons to get outdoors today.

  1. It will force you to disconnects from your phone, computer, screens and people. Think of this as in instant detox from information overload.
  2. It can help you analyse how you feel, what you ant and what you need in your life.
  3. Being outside and experiencing a new location, fresh scenery, and good old vitamin D is the perfect way to find new inspirations for upcoming projects.
  4. Reconnecting ith nature will remind you just how big the world is, and that no matter how big your problem is, it can be solved.
  5. The wide open spaces that you can only find in nature will help you reconnect with feelings of freedom, something that’s hard to come by in dense, urban environments.

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Laura Barry
Laura Barry
Laura Barry is a writer, bookworm and interior design enthusiast with a love for reporting on all things homes, travel and lifestyle. When not tapping away at her keyboard, Laura can be found making endless cups of tea or perusing the shelves of Sydney’s many bookstores.

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YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

10 of Victoria's best camping spots

10 of Victoria's best camping spots

5 holiday destinations with cheap airfares

5 holiday destinations with cheap airfares

Hiking tips for beginners

Hiking tips for beginners

Graham visits Cowra Japanese garden

Graham visits Cowra Japanese garden

{headline}

{headline}

Johanna and Graham take a road trip to central west NSW

Johanna and Graham take a road trip to central west NSW

Johanna discovers the hidden gems of central west NSW

Johanna discovers the hidden gems of central west NSW

Johanna and Graham visit the Pioneer Brewing Company

Johanna and Graham visit the Pioneer Brewing Company

{headline}

{headline}

This is Australia's Town of the Year for 2021

This is Australia's Town of the Year for 2021

Johanna visits Wilga station

Johanna visits Wilga station

Create a backyard outdoor art space for the kids

Create a backyard outdoor art space for the kids

Dr Harry visits the Dolphin Marine Conservation Park

Dr Harry visits the Dolphin Marine Conservation Park

Fast Ed's food tour of Vietnam

Fast Ed's food tour of Vietnam

Dr Harry visits Calgary Stampede's Chuckwagon Races

Dr Harry visits Calgary Stampede's Chuckwagon Races

Dr Harry visits wild Canada

Dr Harry visits wild Canada

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